agriculturehttp://ijpr.org
enSOHS Celebrates Women Farmershttp://ijpr.org/post/sohs-celebrates-women-farmers
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">We get the image of the American farmer locked in our heads, and it's usually a guy in overalls.</span></p><p>But the truth is a bit more diverse.</p><p>And the <a href="http://www.sohs.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Southern Oregon Historical Society</strong></a> explores that truth in its current display, "Women of the Land: Southern Oregon Women in Agriculture." Mon, 25 May 2015 18:00:40 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Emily Cureton31471 at http://ijpr.orgSOHS Celebrates Women FarmersOregon Eases Up On Raw Milkhttp://ijpr.org/post/oregon-eases-raw-milk
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Raw milk is either sought-after or reviled; there appears to be little middle ground.&nbsp;</p><p>But the landscape is changing just a bit... Oregon authorities just loosened regulations on the advertising of raw milk.&nbsp;</p><p>The topic is one well-known to <a href="http://thecompletepatient.com/content/raw-milk-answer-ebook-david-e-gumper" target="_blank"><strong>David Gumpert</strong></a>, who writes of food and small business.&nbsp; Mon, 25 May 2015 18:00:30 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Emily Cureton31470 at http://ijpr.orgOregon Eases Up On Raw MilkA Greater Appreciation Of Seedshttp://ijpr.org/post/greater-appreciation-seeds
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Do you stop to think about the importance of seeds in your life?&nbsp;</p><p>Your morning cup of coffee starts with them, and much of what you eat, wear, and use comes from seeds.&nbsp;</p><p>Conservation biologist Thor Hanson wants us to think about seeds and what they give us.&nbsp;</p><p>And he gives us plenty to work with in his book <a href="http://www.thorhanson.net" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Triumph of Seeds</strong></em></a>. Thu, 21 May 2015 17:10:10 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Emily Cureton31315 at http://ijpr.orgA Greater Appreciation Of SeedsRoving From The Rogue To...http://ijpr.org/post/roving-rogue
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Farming in harmony with nature can take some special tools.&nbsp;</p><p>Take the FarmDogg, for example.&nbsp; The what?&nbsp;</p><p>It's a light duty electric all-terrain vehicle designed to get farm workers around farms.&nbsp;</p><p>And it is the creation of <a href="http://www.roguerovers.com" target="_blank"><strong>Rogue Rovers</strong></a>, with offices in Ashland, Oregon and Brazil.&nbsp; Sat, 13 Dec 2014 18:10:30 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren23382 at http://ijpr.orgRoving From The Rogue To...Small Farms That Make Big Buckshttp://ijpr.org/post/small-farms-make-big-bucks
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Maybe you've always been interested in farming, but just didn’t have the land for it.&nbsp;</p><p>You might not need that much.&nbsp;</p><p>Organic farmer Jean-Martin Fortier runs a "micro-farm" in Quebec, with only about an acre and a half of permanent planted space.&nbsp;</p><p>Yet the farm makes enough money to feed Fortier's family.&nbsp;</p><p>And he shares the secrets and techniques in his book <a href="http://www.themarketgardener.com/" target="_blank"><em><strong>The Market Gardener</strong></em></a>.Thu, 11 Dec 2014 18:10:10 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren23241 at http://ijpr.orgSmall Farms That Make Big BucksAdding To Farm To School Programshttp://ijpr.org/post/adding-farm-school-programs
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Maybe kids really do like healthy food better when they understand where it comes from.&nbsp;</p><p>And when they grow it themselves.&nbsp;</p><p>That's the business of Rogue Valley Farm to School.&nbsp;</p><p>That organization and Rogue Farm Corps are getting grants to continue their work from the <a href="http://www.oregoncf.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Oregon Community Foundation</strong></a>.&nbsp; Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:10:30 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren23138 at http://ijpr.orgAdding To Farm To School ProgramsFood From A Box: Gro-Volution And Aeroponicshttp://ijpr.org/post/food-box-gro-volution-and-aeroponics
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>You've probably heard of hydroponics--growing plants in a water solution without soil.&nbsp;</p><p>And there's aquaponics, combining hydroponics with a fish tank.&nbsp;</p><p>Now we'll focus on aeroponics… growing plants in air and mist.&nbsp; No soil, no water bath.&nbsp; Confused yet?&nbsp;</p><p>A Southern Oregon company called <a href="http://gro-volution.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Gro-Volution</strong></a> is gearing up for a revolution in the field of aeroponics to grow food crops.&nbsp; Thu, 02 Oct 2014 17:10:10 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren19891 at http://ijpr.orgFood From A Box: Gro-Volution And AeroponicsPear Harvest Lags In The Rogue Valleyhttp://ijpr.org/post/pear-harvest-lags-rogue-valley
<p></p><p></p><p></p><p>It's pear harvest season in the Rogue Valley, and the harvest does not look so good so far.&nbsp;</p><p>After a hard early winter freeze followed by little precipitation, there were bound to be some crop impacts.&nbsp;</p><p>And early reports show a smaller pear yield than in past years.&nbsp;</p><p><span class="fbProfileBylineFragment"><span class="fbProfileBylineLabel">Barry Tibbetts with Crop Production and Protection at <a href="http://www.naumesinc.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Naumes Inc.</strong></a> joins us. </span></span>Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:10:30 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren18817 at http://ijpr.orgPear Harvest Lags In The Rogue ValleyEat Local Week In The Rogue Valleyhttp://ijpr.org/post/eat-local-week-rogue-valley
<p></p><p></p><p>Turn over some of the produce in the store next time you shop.&nbsp;</p><p>You'll probably find labels bearing information like "product of Chile."&nbsp;</p><p>So a lot of our travels a long way to get to our tables.&nbsp;</p><p>While local farmers produce many of the same products.&nbsp;</p><p>That's why <a href="http://www.buylocalrogue.org/" target="_blank"><strong>THRIVE</strong></a>, The Rogue Initiative For a Vital Economy, hosts "Eat Local Week" later this month (September 12-21). Tue, 02 Sep 2014 17:07:45 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren18408 at http://ijpr.orgEat Local Week In The Rogue ValleyBiosafety Alliance Weighs In On GMO Ordinance Votehttp://ijpr.org/post/biosafety-alliance-weighs-gmo-ordinance-vote
<p></p><p>Recent financial reports indicate that the people in opposition to Jackson County's anti-GMO crop measure have the money advantage, and much of the money comes from other states.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But the anti-GMO (so PRO measure) forces have their own friends in other places.&nbsp;</p><p>Those include the people of the <a href="http://biosafetyalliance.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Biosafety Alliance, </strong></a>who work on GMO and other issues.&nbsp; Mon, 14 Apr 2014 17:10:20 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren10656 at http://ijpr.orgBiosafety Alliance Weighs In On GMO Ordinance VoteThe Pro Side On Jackson County's Extension Measurehttp://ijpr.org/post/pro-side-jackson-countys-extension-measure
<p></p><p>The local ballot measures are the big news items in Oregon's May 20 primary election.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>That's especially true in Jackson County, where an anti-GMO crop measure is up for a vote.&nbsp; And there's a measure to fund libraries as well.&nbsp; And another: a measure to keep the Oregon State Extension service operating in the county.&nbsp; Thu, 03 Apr 2014 17:10:20 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren10141 at http://ijpr.orgThe Pro Side On Jackson County's Extension MeasureThe Caged Bird Sings Of Changehttp://ijpr.org/post/caged-bird-sings-change
<p></p><p>It's not this year, but a previous one, that may be weighing on the minds of California farmers.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>2008's Proposition 2 requires more spacious quarters for egg-laying hens, but it gave farmers more than six years to comply.&nbsp;</p><p>Animal-rights activists at the <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Humane Society </strong></a>and other groups say many farmers have yet to make any changes, and could miss the deadline.&nbsp; Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:10:20 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren8433 at http://ijpr.orgThe Caged Bird Sings Of ChangeCounting California's Record Grape Harvesthttp://ijpr.org/post/counting-californias-record-grape-harvest
<p></p><p>It takes a while to compile the numbers from California's massive wine grape harvest.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But here goes: 2013 was a record year, even better than 2012.&nbsp; The crush records recently compiled show 4.23 Million tons of grapes, for a total crop value of more than $3 Billion.&nbsp; Tue, 25 Feb 2014 18:10:20 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren8169 at http://ijpr.orgCounting California's Record Grape HarvestReviving Crop Donation Tax Creditshttp://ijpr.org/post/reviving-crop-donation-tax-credits
<p></p><p>Drop a bag of clothing off at Goodwill, and you'll get a receipt and a potential tax credit.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But farmers who grow extra acres of food and donate the produce to food banks get no such tax credit in Oregon.&nbsp; And they used to.&nbsp; Mon, 17 Feb 2014 18:10:20 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren7742 at http://ijpr.orgReviving Crop Donation Tax CreditsGMO Perspective Straight From The Farmhttp://ijpr.org/post/gmo-perspective-straight-farm
<p>CORRECTED event info below...</p><p>Howard Vlieger lives on the Iowa farm where he was born and raised.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But his worldview extends far beyond the fields.&nbsp; Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:32:00 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren6604 at http://ijpr.orgGMO Perspective Straight From The FarmKeeping Them Down On The Farm (Bill)http://ijpr.org/post/keeping-them-down-farm-bill
<p></p><p>Maybe by the time you read this, Congress will have completed work on a farm bill.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But it certainly dragged its feet getting up to speed.&nbsp; Fri, 20 Dec 2013 18:26:00 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren4986 at http://ijpr.orgKeeping Them Down On The Farm (Bill)Wine Industry Grows Quickly In Southern Oregonhttp://ijpr.org/post/wine-industry-grows-quickly-southern-oregon
<p></p><p>From former pear orchards, a bounty of wine.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>Many of the same Southern Oregon agricultural plots that were once home to pear orchards are now home to vineyards growing wine grapes.&nbsp; Thu, 05 Dec 2013 19:20:00 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren4143 at http://ijpr.orgWine Industry Grows Quickly In Southern OregonEnjoying Local Farm Goods Outside Growing Seasonhttp://ijpr.org/post/enjoying-local-farm-goods-outside-growing-season
<p></p><p>So the growing season is over.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>But that does not mean an end to products from area farms.&nbsp; Thu, 05 Dec 2013 19:17:00 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren4142 at http://ijpr.orgEnjoying Local Farm Goods Outside Growing SeasonChristmas Tree Season Is Herehttp://ijpr.org/post/christmas-tree-season-here
<p>The peak of the shipping season for Christmas trees has arrived.</p><p></p><p>Christmas tree farmers in Oregon's Willamette Valley are optimistic about this year's harvest. An oversupply of Christmas trees, which began to take hold in 2005, made it rough going for tree growers for many years.Fri, 29 Nov 2013 13:54:47 +0000Barbara Dellenback3891 at http://ijpr.orgChristmas Tree Season Is HereTaking On The State Over Raw Milkhttp://ijpr.org/post/taking-state-over-raw-milk
<p></p><p>You can sell raw milk in Oregon, but because of health concerns--the milk is not pasteurized--the state controls such sales tightly.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">For example, farms can't advertise the fact that they sell raw milk.&nbsp;</span></p><p>Tue, 26 Nov 2013 19:54:00 +0000Geoffrey Riley & Charlotte Duren3685 at http://ijpr.orgTaking On The State Over Raw Milk